Cauliflower, Carrot and Potatoe casserole

In a food processor shred:
3 large carrots
5 potatoe
place in a bowl with:
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 chopped red onion
3 minced garlic
stir together and dump into a greased lasagna pan.

In a food processor with chopping blade process:
1 small cauliflower
1 bunch of parley
Mix in a bowl with:
1 cup shredded cheese
2 tbsps oil
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
add this mixture to the top of Potatoe and carrots.
Bake at 350 until brown and toasty on top.

Black Bean and Nettle soup

3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped onion
6 ribs of celery
3 large carrots
2 cups of cooked black beans
1/2 cup rinsed Quinoa
3 chopped tomatos (or canned)
2 tbsps basil
2 tsps oregono

Fry garlic and onion...add other ingredients top with water or stock until soup items are covered. Cook on a simmer until carrots are soft. Add 1 cup steamed nettle after carrots are cooked.

Roasted Chickpeas...

So yummy..use canned or cooked dry them with a clean towel...roast dry in a 350 oven for about 45 mins ...shake the pan 3 or 4 times during the cooking. When crispy on the outside take out of oven and add a bit of olive oil, salt , cayenne and garlic. Make them spicy if you like that ...kids seem to love them they are a perfect crunchy snack. We never store ours but an airtight container may do the trick.

Stinging Nettles....

These nettles are so healthy for you they are full of minerals ..high in iron, magnesium and calcium.

Spring is the time to get these...wear garden gloves when handling the nettle(you will probably still get stung through them if you are harvesting alot...Dock may take some bite out of the sting just rub on the area)...cut with scissors about a foot down if you are going to eat them and they are fairly tall cut closer to the ground if you are drying for tea. Give the nettles a good shake to get most of the bugs off of them.

At home....clip off the top and take just the leaves farther down the stalk remember to wear your garden gloves. To store place unwashed nettle in a clean plastic bag and place inside of the fridge. Before cooking soak in cold water and drain/rinse well before cooking. If using for tea just tie all the bottom stalks together with twine and hang upside down to dry.

The nettle loses its sting after drying or cooking...use caution until then. It shrinks right down when being cooked so harvest alot for a couple of meals.